2013 Regional Spelling Bee

Photos by George Gongora/special to the Caller-Times Victoria Epstein, an eighth-grader at Flour Bluff Junior High, won the 60th annual South Texas Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday. The winning word was “masala.”

Photos by George Gongora/special to the Caller-Times The spelling bee mascot “Free Bee” gives high fives to the spellers before the event.

Photos by George Gongora/special to the Caller-Times Devin Garza, a third-grader at East Elementary School, yawns after a long day at the 60th annual Spelling Bee regional contest Saturday.

Photos by George Gongora/special to the Caller-Times Kaitlyn Soliz, a fourth-grader at Mary R. Garcia Elementary School in Alice, takes her time recalling a word during the spelling bee.

Photos by George Gongora/special to the Caller-Times Some students like Samantha Ensinia, a third-grader at Mathis Intermediate School, use a technique called “air spelling” to try to visualize words.